Full-brimmed Hat Capable of Accommodating a Headset

ABSTRACT

A system for a full-brimmed hat capable of accommodating a headset includes a full-brimmed hat and a headset. The full-brimmed hat allows users to simultaneously wear the headset and obtain full protection from harmful sun rays while also providing shielding from the sunlight. The full-brim is designed with brim joints which are adjusted by fasteners. The brim joints open the holes on the sides of the full-brimmed hat, and the earpieces of the headset are placed in the holes. The frame of the headset rests on top of the full-brimmed hat, which accommodates both a large headset and a small headset.

The current application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application of the U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/971,700 filed on Aug. 20, 2013 which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/684,922 filed on Aug. 20, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a fully-brimmed hat that may be worn while wearing a headset or headphones. More particularly, its objective is to provide the user full protection from harmful sun rays while allowing the user to wear the headset or headphones as well as improving the visibility of the wearer by shielding the sun from the eyes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is practically impossible to comfortably wear both a headset and a full-brimmed hat. A Headset offers the user the ability to block out background noise thus dramatically increasing the quality of the listening experience, and a full-brimmed hat provides the user with the greatest protection from harmful and distracting sunlight. It is impractical and nearly impossible to wear a headset over a full-brimmed hat without a great deal of sacrifice to comfort and protection from the sun. Additionally, it is very uncomfortable to wear a headset under the hat as well. People often resort to using in-ear earphones or earbuds in order to be able to wear both earphones and a full-brimmed hat. However, for people in occupations such as pilots and airport ground personnel who often are required to wear a headset or headphones, it is not possible to wear a headset with a full-brimmed hat. Additionally, people who recreationally spend a great deal of time outdoors require protection from the sun and quite often wish to listen to music. Because of the issues detailed above, these people are often unable to achieve both protection from the sun and musical entertainment without sacrifice to either. The present invention seeks to address the issues faced by people who are required or desire to comfortably wear a headset while also experiencing the protection of a full-brimmed hat.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a practical means or system for people to wear a headset with large earpiece while also wearing a full-brimmed hat. The present invention accomplishes this by means of headset holes located on the sides of the full-brimmed hat through which the earpieces of the headset can be placed. This allows the headset to be worn normally and rest on top of the user's head and the top of the hat. It is also easier to insert the earpieces of the headset through the opening by means of brim joints that are located on the outer edges of the openings. The brim joints may be opened or closed by the user and may also be adjusted before use or during use in order to accommodate the headset and adjust comfort. Once the earpieces and the frame of the headset have been placed within the openings, the brim joints may be closed by hook and loop fasteners or by some other means of attachment. The headset is now ready to be worn comfortably with the present invention and its full brim is able to provide the user protection from the sun. The present invention certainly does have its use in a recreational setting, and it is also very useful as a safety device. Since the present invention can be worn by airport ground support personnel, airport control tower personnel, pilots while in flight, individuals at firing range, military personnel, and landscaping crews, the safety aspects of the present invention minimize the fatiguing nature of working out in the sun and increase the visibility factor which is especially notable during sunrise and sunset. Because of these facts, the present invention increases the efficiency of their work while creating a safe work environment. The present invention is available in multiple configurations to accommodate the various shapes and sizes of headset or headphone earpieces and frames that users may wish to wear in conjunction with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left perspective view of a user wearing the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the headset.

FIG. 2 is a right perspective view of a user wearing the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the headset.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention without the headset.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention without the headset.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention in its alternative embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the present invention in its alternative embodiment with the left brim joint fastener disconnected and the right brim joint fastener disconnected.

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the present invention in its alternative embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the present invention in its alternative embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention in its alternative embodiment with open brim joints.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the present invention in its alternative embodiment with open brim joints.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the present invention in its alternative embodiment, wherein the present invention is folded in half.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the present invention in its storage mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is a full-brimmed hat that is designed to accommodate a full-sized headset while the hat is being worn. A system for the present invention comprises a full-brimmed hat 1 and a headset 22.

The full-brimmed hat 1 provides the user full protection from harmful sun rays and increases the visibility of the wearer by shielding sunlight from the eyes. The full-brimmed hat 1 is a boonie (or boney) style hat, a jungle hat, or a hat the military would wear. The full-brimmed hat 1 comprises a circular bucket 2 and a full-brim 7. The circular bucket 2 forms the upper portion of the full-brimmed hat 1 and the user's head fits within a head insertion opening 3, which can be seen more clearly in FIG. 4. The circular bucket 2 and the full-brim 7 are made from a lightweight and breathable fabric which is also a uniform and flexible material.

In reference to FIG. 1-4, the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the full-brim 7 is circumferentially positioned around the circular bucket 2, and is also perpendicularly connected to the circular bucket 2. The full-brim 7 comprises an inner diameter 8, an outer diameter 9, a left headset hole 10, and a right headset hole 11.

The left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11 provide the area for the headset 22 to traverse through the full-brim 7, and can be seen more clearly in FIG. 4. The left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11 are diametrically opposed to each other around the full-brim 7; the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11 traverse through the full-brim 7; and, the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11 are adjacently positioned around the inner diameter 8. The shape of the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11 is preferably a circular shape, but the shape is not limited to the circular shape and can be any other geometric or organic shapes in order to accommodate uniquely shaped headphones or any other type of headgears.

The circular bucket 2 may further comprise a rim that is circumferentially positioned around the head insertion opening 3 of the circular bucket 2. The rim comprises a first stiffener and a second stiffener. The first stiffener and the second stiffener are positioned within the rim to provide more rigid areas in the full-brimmed hat 1. The first stiffener is adjacently positioned to the left headset hole 10 and the second stiffener is adjacently positioned to the right headset hole 11. The first stiffener and the second stiffener allow the full-brimmed hat 1 be more easily situated on the head of the wear and also prevents the fabric from the bunching up while the full-brimmed hat 1 is placed on the wearers head as well as prevents bunching up while the full brimmed hat 1 is being used with the headset 22.

When ready to wear the preferred embodiment of the full-brimmed hat 1 and the headset 22, the user places the full-brimmed hat 1 over the top of his or her head and respectively aligns the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11 with his or her left and right ears. With the headset 22 being placed over the circular bucket 2, the user can then insert the headset 22. In the system for the preferred embodiment, the headset 22 comprises a frame 23, a left earpiece 24, and a right earpiece 25, which can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The left earpiece 24 and the right earpiece 25 are connected by the frame 23, and the frame 23 is adjacently positioned atop of the circular bucket 2. As a result, the frame 23 is positioned over the circular bucket 2 while the left earpiece 24 is inserted through the left headset hole 10, and the right earpiece 25 is inserted through the right headset hole 11.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the full-brim 7 further comprises a left brim joint 12, a right brim joint 17, a right brim joint inner edge 121, a left brim joint inner edge 122, a left hook strip 18, a right hook strip 19, a left loop strip 20, and a right loop strip 21. Referring back to the components of the full-brim 7, the left brim joint 12 and the right brim joint 17 each comprise a first flap 13 and a second flap 14. The left brim joint 12 and the right brim joint 17 further comprise a left fastening mechanism 101 and a right fastening mechanism 102, respectively. The left fastening mechanism 101 and the right fastening mechanism 102 are diametrically opposed to each other around the full-brim 7 and each comprise a hook part 15 and a loop part 16, which are shown in FIG. 5-6. The left brim joint 12 and the right brim joint 17 allow the user to respectively open the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11.

In reference to FIG. 5-7, the left brim joint 12 is positioned between the left headset hole 10 and the outer diameter 9 as the first flap 13 and the second flap 14 of the left brim joint 12 are adjustably attached to each other through the left fastening mechanism 101. The left brim joint inner edge 122 of the first flap 13 is positioned offset from the left brim joint inner edge 122 of the second flap 14 in such a way that the first flap 13 is overlapped atop the second flap 14. In reference to the left fastening mechanism 101, the hook part 15 is adjacently connected to the first flap 13 and the loop part 16 is adjacently connected to the second flap 14. More specifically, the hook part 15 of the left fastening mechanism 101 is positioned adjacent to a bottom surface of the first flap 13 and the loop part 16 of the left fastening mechanism 101 is positioned adjacent to a top surface of the second flap 14. As a result, the first flap 13 is attached to the second flap 14 through the hook part 15 and the loop part 16 of the left fastening mechanism 101, wherein the left fastening mechanism 101 is hidden between the first flap 13 and the second flap 14.

In reference to FIG. 5-6 and FIG. 8, the right brim joint 17 is positioned between the right headset hole 11 and the outer diameter 9 as the first flap 13 and the second flap 14 of the right brim joint 17 are adjustably attached to each other through the right fastening mechanism 102. The right brim joint inner edge 121 of the first flap 13 is positioned offset from the right brim joint inner edge 121 of the second flap 14 in such a way that the first flap 13 is overlapped atop the second flap 14. In reference to the right fastening mechanism 102, the hook part 15 is adjacently connected to the first flap 13 and the loop part 16 is adjacently connected to the second flap 14. More specifically, the hook part 15 of the right fastening mechanism 102 is positioned adjacent to a bottom surface of the first flap 13 and the loop part 16 of the right fastening mechanism 102 is positioned adjacent to a top surface of the second flap 14. As a result, the first flap 13 is attached to the second flap 14 through the hook part 15 and the loop part 16 of the left fastening mechanism 102, wherein the right fastening mechanism 102 is hidden between the first flap 13 and the second flap 14.

In the alternative embodiment, the left brim joint 12 and the right brim joint 17 respectively opens offset from the center of the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11.

The right brim joint 17 forms a slit extending between the right brim joint inner edge 121 and the outer diameter 9 of the full-brim 7, allowing two brim ends along the slit to be separable and attachable via the first flap 13 and the second flap 14 of the right brim joint 17. The left brim joint 12 also form a slit extending between the left brim joint inner edge 122 and the outer diameter 9 of the full-brim 7 allowing two brim ends along the slit to be separable and attachable via the first flap 13 and the second flap 14 of the left brim joint 12.

In the alternative embodiment of the present invention, the left hook strip 18, the right hook strip 19, the left loop strip 20, and the right loop strip 21 are radially connected around the full-brim 7, as can be seen in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The left hook strip 18 is adjacently positioned with the second flap 14 of the left brim joint 12; the right hook strip 19 is adjacently positioned with the second flap 14 of the right brim joint 17; the left loop strip 20 is adjacently positioned with the first flap 13 of the left brim joint 12; and, the right loop strip 21 is adjacently positioned with the first flap 13 of the right brim joint 17.

When ready to wear the alternative embodiment of the full-brimmed hat 1 and the headset 22, the user opens the left brim joint 12 and the right brim joint 17, as can be seen in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. The hook part 15 of the left fastening mechanism 101 is attached to the left loop strip 20; the hook part 15 of the right fastening mechanism 102 is attached to the right loop strip 21; the loop part 16 of the left fastening mechanism 101 is attached to the left hook strip 18; and, the loop part 16 of the right fastening mechanism 101 being attached to the right hook strip 19. By opening the left brim joint 12 and the right brim joint 17, the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11 are now open and ready to receive the headset 22. Then the user places the full-brimmed hat 1 over the top of his or her head and respectively aligns the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11 with his or her left and right ears. With the headset 22 being placed over the circular bucket 2, the user can then close the left brim joint 12 and the right brim joint 17. More specifically, the hook part 15 of the left brim joint 12 is attached back into the loop part 16 of the left brim joint 12, and the hook part 15 of the right brim joint 17 is attached back into the loop part 16 of the right brim joint 17. The user can also adjust the size of the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11 to better suit the size of the left earpiece 24 and the right earpiece 25 by altering the positioning of the hook part 15 to the loop part 16 of the left brim joint 12 and the right brim joint 17.

In the system for the alternative embodiment, the headset 22 comprises the frame 23, the left earpiece 24, and the right earpiece 25. The left earpiece 24 and the right earpiece 25 are connected by the frame 23, and the frame 23 is adjacently positioned atop of the circular bucket 2. The headset 22 may optionally comprise a microphone if the headset functions as a two-way communication device. The left earpiece 24 is positioned within the left headset hole 10 and the right earpiece 25 is positioned within the right headset hole 11. More specifically, the full-brimmed hat 1 is able to contain a full sized headset 22 as the left earpiece 24 and the right earpiece 25 are placed within the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11. The present invention is intended to be used with the headset 22, however, other varieties of headgear such as, but not limited to, earmuffs, hearing protectors, and a pair of headphones, may be worn.

The present invention may also be stored in a space efficient form, which can be seen in FIG. 12. The user folds the present invention in half so that the left brim joint 12 and the right brim joint 17 meet and align with each other, as shown in FIG. 11. The user then takes the present invention and folds it in half once more, in the direction so that either the left hook strip 18 interlocks with the left loop strip 20, or the other direction, so that the right hook strip 19 interlocks with the right loop strip 21. This position, as seen in FIG. 12, allows the user to store the present invention in a space efficient form so that the present invention does not take up unnecessary room and is more easily stowable in a pocket or backpack. The left hook strip 18, the right hook strip 19, the left loop strip 20, and the right loop strip 21 allow the present invention to stay in this folded position.

A second alternative embodiment for the present invention may feature a smaller left headset hole 10 and a smaller right headset hole 11 for a smaller headset 22. Alternatively, the user may simply thread the left earpiece 24 and the right earpiece 25 through the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11 respectively without opening the left brim joint 12 and the right brim joint 17. A third alternative embodiment of the present invention, the left brim joint 12 and the right brim joint 17 respectively opens away from the center of the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11, where the left brim joint 12 and the right brim joint 17 are positioned either toward the front end of the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11 or the back end of the left headset hole 10 and the right headset hole 11. A fourth alternative embodiment of the present invention, the full-brimmed hat 1 comprises either the left headset hole 10 and the left brim joint 12 or the right headset hole 11 and the right brim joint 17 in such way that the fourth alternative embodiment only accommodates a headset 22 with only one earpiece. A fifth alternative embodiment of the present invention can feature only the left headset hole 10, without the left brim joint 12, or only the right headset hole 11, without the right brim joint 17. As a result, the fifth alternative embodiment only accommodates a headset 22 with only one earpiece.

The alternative embodiment of the present invention uses a hook and loop fastening mechanism for both the left brim joint 12 and the right brim joint 17. However, alternative fastening mechanisms may be used such as, but not limited to, a ball and socket snap fastener, button fasteners, magnetic fasteners or some other simple fastening mechanisms commonly used with fabric.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment and alternative embodiments, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for a full-brimmed hat capable of accommodating a headset comprises: a full-brimmed hat; the full-brimmed hat comprises a circular bucket and a full-brim; the full-brim comprises an inner diameter, an outer diameter, a left headset hole, and a right headset hole; the left headset hole and the right headset hole being diametrically opposed to each other around the full-brim; the left headset hole and the right headset hole traversing through the full-brim; and the left headset hole and the right headset hole being adjacently positioned around the inner diameter.
 2. The system for a full-brimmed hat capable of accommodating a headset as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the full-brim being circumferentially positioned around the circular bucket; and the full-brim being perpendicularly connected to the circular bucket.
 3. The system for a full-brimmed hat capable of accommodating a headset as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a left brim joint; a left fastening mechanism; a left brim joint inner edge; the left brim joint comprises a first flap and a second flap; the left brim joint being positioned between the left headset hole and the outer diameter; and wherein the left brim joint is a slit extending between the left brim joint inner edge and the full-brim outer diameter allowing two brim ends along the slit to be separable and attachable via the first flap and the second flap.
 4. The system for a full-brimmed hat capable of accommodating a headset as claimed in claim 3 comprises: the first flap being adjustably attached to the second flap through the left fastening mechanism; the left brim joint inner edge of the first flap being offset from the left brim joint inner edge of the second flap; and the first flap being overlapped atop the second flap.
 5. The system for a full-brimmed hat capable of accommodating a headset as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a right brim joint; a right fastening mechanism; a right brim joint inner edge; the right brim joint comprises a first flap and a second flap; the right brim joint being positioned between the right headset hole and the outer diameter; and wherein the right brim joint is a slit extending between the right brim joint inner edge and the full-brim outer diameter allowing two brim ends along the slit to be separable and attachable via the first flap and the second flap.
 6. The system for a full-brimmed hat capable of accommodating a headset as claimed in claim 5 comprises: the first flap being adjustably attached to the second flap through the right fastening mechanism; the right brim joint inner edge of the first flap being offset from the right brim joint inner edge of the second flap; and the first flap being overlapped atop the second flap.
 7. The system for a full-brimmed hat capable of accommodating a headset as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a left hook strip; a right hook strip; a left loop strip; a right loop strip; a left brim joint; a left fastening mechanism; a right brim joint; a right fastening mechanism; the left hook strip, the right hook strip, the left loop strip, and the right loop strip being radially connected around the full-brim; the left hook strip being adjacently positioned with the second flap of the left brim joint; the right hook strip being adjacently positioned with the second flap of the right brim joint; the left loop strip being adjacently positioned with the first flap of the left brim joint; and the right loop strip being adjacently positioned with the first flap of the right brim joint.
 8. The system for a full-brimmed hat capable of accommodating a headset as claimed in claim 7 comprises: the left fastening mechanism and the right fastening mechanism being diametrically opposed to each other along the full-brim.
 9. The system for a full-brimmed hat capable of accommodating a headset as claimed in claim 7 comprises: a hook part of the left fastening mechanism being attached to the left loop strip; a hook part of the right fastening mechanism being attached to the right loop strip; a loop part of the left fastening mechanism being attached to the left hook strip; and a loop part of the right fastening mechanism being attached to the right hook strip.
 10. The system for a full-brimmed hat capable of accommodating a headset as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a headset; the headset comprises a frame, a left earpiece, and a right earpiece; the left earpiece and the right earpiece being connected by the frame; the frame being adjacently positioned atop of the circular bucket; the left earpiece being positioned within the left headset hole; and the right earpiece being positioned within the right headset hole. 